Ucf Dismisses Its Men's Soccer Coach

THE MORNING BUZZ

March 31, 2005

Despite a rebuilt program and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, UCF men's soccer coach Bob Winch is out of a job. Golden Knights Athletic Director Steve Orsini told Winch he was not happy with the direction of the program. "I think we did a great job considering all the challenges," said Winch, who was 100-94-13 in 12 seasons. "I was happy with where we took the program. But bottom line, I wasn't Steve's guy. He didn't hire me." Winch guided the Knights to an 11-7-2 record and a third Atlantic Sun Tournament title in 2004, and his program advanced to a second-round NCAA Tournament game for the first time in school history. The program was under minor scholarship restrictions the past two seasons -- and for next season -- from self-imposed penalties stemming from poor documentation of student loans, Winch said.

MORE COLLEGES: Florida State junior Ernie Sims, an All-America candidate at outside linebacker, injured his right ankle Wednesday during a full-contact scrimmage. The injury's severity was not immediately known, said Randy Oravetz, FSU's head athletics trainer. . . . A Texas senator wants to ban the state's college football teams from playing in any postseason championship games that are not part of a playoff system. The bill by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, is similar to a bill filed in the House last month by Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale, R-Tomball.

SOCCER: USA SHUTS DOWN GUATEMALA

Eddie Johnson came through once again, showing the stellar form that's made him America's top scorer and giving the United States a key victory in World Cup qualifying. A day shy of his 21st birthday, Johnson scored a brilliant goal in the 11th minute and set up Steve Ralston's goal in the 68th to lead the United States over Guatemala 2-0 in Birmingham, Ala.

MORE SOCCER: Los Angeles traded high-scoring forward Carlos Ruiz to FC Dallas, putting the Galaxy in position to acquire U.S. national team star Landon Donovan. Donovan is returning to Major League Soccer after a 21/2-month stint with Bayer Leverkusen.

NFL: DROUGHNS TRADED TO BROWNS

Denver finalized its trade with Cleveland, sending running back Reuben Droughns to the Browns for Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers, two defensive lineman the Broncos hope will bolster their pass rush.

MORE NFL: The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran free-agent defensive end Marcellus Wiley to a one-year contract as the team added another free agent end to its defensive front. . . . . Tampa Bay wide receiver Charles Lee is set to meet with Miami Dolphins officials Monday. The former UCF standout has started eight games the past two seasons with the Buccaneers and finished with a combined 48 catches for 639 yards and two touchdowns. . . . Ray Brown, at 42 the oldest offensive lineman in modern NFL history, re-signed with the Washington Redskins.

BASEBALL: MEDICAL ADVISER SCRUTINIZED

Major League Baseball's medical adviser, who praised baseball's steroids policy and challenged its critics while testifying before Congress, has discrepancies in biographical statements about his professional and educational credentials, according to a newspaper report. The discrepancies appear in media guides and handouts with information about Dr. Elliot J. Pellman, an internist who is also team doctor for the New York Jets and the New York Islanders, The New York Times reported. Pellman's bio in the Jets media guide states he has a medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. But the Times report said state records show Pellman attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico.

HORSES: HIGH FLY GETS FAVORABLE POST

Favorite High Fly will break from gate No. 4 in Saturday's Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, one of the premier tuneups for the Kentucky Derby. High Fly, to be ridden by Jerry Bailey, was installed as an 8-5 favorite in the $1 million race with stablemate Noble Causeway installed as the second choice at 3-1.

MORE HORSES: Ghostzapper, selected the Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards in January, will miss the Oaklawn Handicap in Hot Springs, Ark. because of the flu.

PREPS: EAST TOPS ALL-AMERICAN GAME

Gerald Green scored 24 points and Greg Paulus added 13 points and made seven of eight free throws in the final 2 minutes for the East, which squandered a 27-point lead before beating the West 115-110 in the McDonald's All-American game in South Bend, Ind.